The National Retail Federation said Americans plan to spend about 6 percent less on Halloween this year.

One-fourth of U.S. consumers (25.2 percent) said the state of the economy will impact their Halloween spending plans. Nearly nine in 10 (86.1 percent) will spend less overall, up slightly from 83.5 percent last year.

About 33 percent will buy less candy and 18 percent will make a costume instead of buying one. (Yes, they’re shopping for inspiration on Pintrest 9.3 percent said so, versus 7.1 percent last year.)

Lower Halloween spending plans is a ghoulish prospect for a couple of locally-based national chains. Halloween decorations and party goods are a huge business for Irving-based Michaels Stores Inc. and Fort Worth-based Pier 1 Imports.

Based on the retail industry trade group’s survey results, nearly 158 million consumers will participate in Halloween activities, slightly less than the survey high of 170 million people last year.

Those celebrating said they will spend an average of $75.03 on décor, costumes, candy and entertainment, down 6 percent from $79.82 last year.

Costumes and candy are still the two biggest categories with shoppers expected to spend $2.6 billion dressing up and $2.08 billion on treats.

Speaking of treats, 13.8 percent of Halloween participants plan to buy costumes for their pets. That amounts to an estimated $330 million.

As surveys go, NRF usually has a pretty big sample size. NRF’s 2013 Halloween Consumer Spending Survey, designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to Halloween spending, was conducted for NRF by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The poll of 5,290 consumers was conducted September 3-10. The consumer poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.3 percentage points.

And I hope you like that photo: Apparently Disney is exporting Halloween to other nations, or at least to Japan as the caption says. Who knew?

Jennifer Kirkpatrick of Bonham holds up a shirt to her daughter, Alli Kirkpatrick, 8, while shopping for back-to-school clothes in the childrenÕs department of the J.C. Penney department store at Collin Creek Mall in Plano on July 15, 2013. (Sonya Hebert-Schwartz/The Dallas Morning News)

UPDATED AT 12:36 P.M. WITH COMMENTS FROM CONFERENCE CALL
Parents plan to spend 8 percent less on back-to-school this year than in 2012, according to an annual industry survey.

Families with school-age children will spend an average $634.78 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics, down from $688.62 last year, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2013 back-to-school survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.

This year’s lower spending forecast partly has to do with explosive spending last year, NRF said.

Back-to-school spending in 2012 was boosted from pent-up demand as the economy was improving and the school age population increased, said NRF CEO Matthew Shay. He called last year “a bulge year” when 33 percent of people polled said they would be shopping for back-to-school versus 29 percent the prior year.

Parents said they have school supplies from last year and a shorter shopping list this year, NRF said.

Total spending on back-to-school is expected to reach $26.7 billion. Add in spending for all the gear needed by college students — especially freshmen living in dorms — and that number swells to $72.5 billion. (More on them later today)

As parents “continue to grapple with the impact of increased payroll taxes, Americans will look to cut corners where they can, but will buy what their kids need,” Shay said.

Other pressures weighing on families include higher gasoline taxes and still high rates of unemployment, he said. However, he said, it’s important to note, that spending levels are still well above where they were a few years ago during the recession.

Here are some highlights from the survey from K-12 families if you want to compare your plans:

– The biggest portion of back-to-school shoppers’ budgets will go toward new apparel and accessories: 95.3 percent of those with school-age children will spend an average of $230.85 on clothes, $114.39 on shoes and $90.49 on school supplies. (This is the unavoidable stuff: kids grow out of and wear out clothes and shoes, schools continue to generate lists of must have supplies.)

– Fewer families with children in grades K-12 will purchase electronics (55.7%), and those that are going to invest in a new tablet or smartphone are going to spend slightly less than last year ($199.05 vs. $217.88 in 2012). (Last year’s tablets and smartphones still work.)

– Eight in 10 back-to-school shoppers will adjust spending plans because of economic conditions. That’s the same as last year, Shay said. More people said they would be doing comparison shopping on line this year, 37 percent versus 32 percent. Others said they will postpone purchases of big ticket items.
(Higher stock market doesn’t mean everyone feels wealthier.)

UPDATED 8:22 A.M.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Tuesday it plans to hire 100,000 veterans in the U.S. over the next five years.

Wal-Mart U.S. chief executive Bill Simon outlined the move supported by First Lady Michelle Obama in speech at the National Retail Federation annual meeting in New York.

Most of the jobs will be in stores and distribution centers. Wal-Mart plans to begin offering the jobs on Memorial Day to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her 12 months off active duty.

“As our wars come to an end and our troops continue to come home, it’s more important than ever that all of us – not just government, but our businesses and non-profits as well – do our part to serve those who have served us so bravely,” Michelle Obama said in a statement from Wal-Mart.

Making the announcement at retail’s largest trade show fits with the industry group’s year-old “Retail Means Jobs” campaign.

Under NRF’s CEO Matthew Shay the industry has gathered its impressive statistics to use to gains some clout from legislators on tax and health care issues.

NRF says that retail supports 1 in 4 jobs in the U.S., 28 million directly and 42 million overall.

Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the U.S. with a staff of 1.3 million.

To support U.S. manufacturing jobs, Simon said that Wal-Mart will buy an additional $50 billion in U.S. products over the next 10 years. The company plans to increase what it already buys in the U.S. in categories that include sporting goods, apparel basics, storage products, games, and paper products. It’s also planning to buy more textiles, furniture and higher-end appliances made in the U.S., he said.

The National Retail Federation said this morning it’s planning to work with President Obama. The trade group has a lobby machine and is trying to be a bigger link to Congress for U.S. retailers. It also has a network of state retail associations that work the state capitals.

Last month, it held a closed conference for retail human resources executives at the W Hotel in Dallas. NRF speakers told the group that healthcare reform wouldn’t be repealed regardless of who was elected president and they were working to “help” write regulations that were still in the pipeline. Unions have been trying to put pressure on the industry for years to offer better paying full-time jobs.

Here’s what NRF said this morning:

NRF Pledges to Work with President Obama in Second Term

WASHINGTON, November 7, 2012 – The National Retail Federation today released the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the re-election of President Obama:

“The top issue facing our nation the day after the election is the same as it was the day before the election – the economy. The U.S. needs public policy that encourages economic growth and removes barriers to job creation. As the industry that supports one out of every four U.S. jobs, retailers look forward to continuing to work with President Obama and the new Congress toward the goal of putting Americans back to work and ensuring that our economy remains the strongest in the world.

“Issues affecting the retail industry are the same critical issues facing policymakers in Washington. On behalf of retailers, their employees and their customers, we want to see health care reform that actually reduces costs instead of imposing mandates, tax reform that makes U.S. businesses more competitive, sales tax fairness that puts Main Street and online retailers on a level playing field, neutral labor policy that doesn’t favor either employers or unions over the other, credit and debit card swipe fees based on transparency and competition rather than monopolies, and removal of trade barriers that drive up consumer prices. Those are just a few of the initiatives that can help retailers create jobs, contribute to the nation’s economy and provide American families with the products they need at prices they can afford.”

Many retailers and other companies in the Dallas area have started hiring seasonal and part-time workers.

The National Retail Federation forecasts a healthy holiday sales growth this year, with retailers hiring 585,000 to 625,000 seasonal employees.

Dallas ranks among the top 10 cities nationally with the most seasonal job openings, according to a ranking by job search website Indeed.com. (See the chart below.)

The top U.S. seasonal and part-time jobs that companies are hiring for are salespeople, store cashiers, customer service representatives, drivers, material handlers and managers, according to Indeed.com. The job most in demand right now in the Dallas area for seasonal or part-time work right now is a salesperson.

Some of the top companies hiring seasonal and part-time employees in the Dallas area include Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bank of America, Baylor Health Care, JPMorgan Chase, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Party City and Target, according to Indeed.com.

Below are some takeaways from a National Retail Federation briefing at noon today about the holiday shopping season.

Comments from Pam Goodfellow, BIGinsight consumer insights director.

On the topic of the presidential election’s impact on consumer spending:
“The outcome is going to make some voters happy and make some voters not so happy.” “Four years ago, things were different. The economy was tanking…”

“With the election in early November, there’s still time for people to get into the holiday spirit and onto Black Friday, Christmas and Hanukkah. The consumer will be looking for a change of pace and offers they can’t refuse.”

On frugality:
“Frugality is still the name of the game.” “Consumers will still use smart shopping tool…to make focused, targeted purchases because they know economy isn’t fixed yet.”

On Credit:
“Consumers are using credit, but they’re using it sparingly. I don’t think this will be a credit Christmas.”

And finally here’s an interesting comment about price not being the driving force anymore: “This isn’t 2008. Cheap isn’t chic. Shoppers are still looking for value, but not just the lowest price on the shelf. There’s a quality issue too.”

Comments from Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO:
On hiring additional seasonal workers:
“There are two ways to win and lose in retail. One is with superb tactics and execution. The other is to take share away from competitors. Both require an artful to hiring decisions. There’s nothing worse than losing a sale because they didn’t have the sales force on the floor.”

Comments from Jack Kleinhenz, National Retail Federation chief economist.
About the NRF’s forecast for holiday sales to climb 4.1 percent from a year ago:
While it’s not as robust an increase as in the past two years, “it’s not a sub par holiday forecast. It’s good news.”

On the consumer’s ability to spend:
“Consumers are able to spend if they have jobs, savings and credit available…and their capacity to spend may be stronger than a year ago. While there’s been tepid wage growth, wealth effect has increased people’s balance sheets.”

The National Retail Federation forecast a 4.1 percent increase in holiday sales versus a year ago. That’s not as optimistic as last year’s actual 5.6 percent increase in combined November-December sales.

The nation’s largest retail trade group also forecast today that online sales will increase 12 percent from the prior year. The overall forecast includes online sales.

Last week, the International Council of Shopping Centers forecast a 3 percent sales increase for the November-December period.

Both the NRF and ICSC said the season is full of cross currents:

— A soft economy with improving housing prices and stock market.
— Gasoline prices are higher than last year. AAA said Monday that the national average price for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline fell to $3.79 per gallon Friday, 4 cents lower than one week ago and a penny below month ago prices, However, gas prices are 32 cents above year ago prices, according to AAA.
— And oh yeah, there’s a presidential election and this “fiscal cliff” people keep talking about. Looming is a $500 billion automatic federal budget spending cut (putting more people out of work).
— Tax increases are slated for Jan. 1 which will result in low- and middle-income family budget cuts, the kind that immediately trickle though to the corner grocery and gas station.

Here’s my approach: Take your sweeties shopping today or tomorrow. Make them try on everything while you take precise notes. Over the weekend, you go out alone with your detailed list and shop tax-free.

You all know the drill. This is the 14th year for the back-to-school focused sales tax holiday in Texas. Tax-free shopping starts after midnight Friday and ends Sunday at midnight. Apparel, shoes, backpacks and school supplies can be purchased tax-free on all items costing less than $100.

According to the National Retail Federation back-to-school spending survey, the average person with children in grades K-12 will spend $688.62 on everything from shoes and socks to paper and pencils. That’s up from $603.63 last year.

Let’s back out $217.88 forecast to be spent on electronics since the only electronics that qualifies to be tax free is a calculator. In Texas, if you have a really smart 8th grader or a high school student, add back in about $100 for an often required calculator. And that’s only right, since calculators made by Dallas-based Texas Instruments are still the go-to tool for all high-school math classes.

So, average parent in Texas, you can save $48.56 this weekend on stuff you are already going to buy. Here’s the trickle down effect: For some households that represents more badly needed grocery money. For others, it’s enough for mom to get a pedicure and give a nice tip.

Most malls have extended their hours and many stores have too.

Dallas’ NorthParkCenter will be open an hour earlier all three days. It’s closing at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Macy’s is staying open even later until 11 p.m. on Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sunday.

On Friday, Office Depot is staying open until midnight instead of 9 p.m.

Frisco’s Stonebriar Centre also has extended hours from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Lewisville’s Vista Ridge Mall will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday but is staying open until 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The Westin Hotel has partnered with Galleria Dallas for shop and stay packages good through Aug. 26. One night for $550 includes a $500 Galleria gift card. The second package is also for one night and costs $1,000 and includes a $1,000 gift card.

Austin-based retailmenot.com says it has lots of back-to-school coupons on its website.

Dallas-Fort Worth has a new shopping center opening this weekend: Paragon Outlets Grand Prairie will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Stores are offering additional grand opening discounts and giveaways during tax-free weekend.